Twenty-three years after a controversial defensive pass interference doomed Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, a similar situation in the same event went the other way to help send the Hurricanes to the College Football Playoff national championship.
The play in question was the final one in Thursday’s semifinal against Ole Miss: Trinidad Chambliss’ heave into the end zone as time expired. The pass fell incomplete, ending the Rebels’ comeback hopes and sealing the Hurricanes’ 31-27 victory.
THE LAST PLAY THAT SENT MIAMI TO THE CFP NATTY 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xHXFD1iR2B
— ESPN (@espn) January 9, 2026
Replays showed Miami defensive back Ethan O’Connor grabbing the back of Ole Miss’ De’Zhaun Stribling’s jersey with his right hand and, at times, the front of Stribling’s jersey with his left hand as the receiver stretched out and O’Connor leapt. Chambliss’ pass hit Stribling’s left hand before hitting the ground. No flag flew.
Chambliss and Ole Miss coach Pete Golding threw their hands in the air in frustration, and the contact led to the expected amount of social media criticism.
That was PI on 24 for Miami. But they’re not getting that call in that situation.
— stan verrett (@stanverrett) January 9, 2026
“I’m sure Ole Miss fans will be talking about that one for a long time,” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said on the broadcast.
But was the no-call correct?
ESPN officiating analyst Bill LeMonnier said it was. He cited the “mutual combat” between Stribling and O’Connor, like Stribling grabbing the defender with his left arm, and the fact that neither player gained a significant advantage from the contact.
“We’re gonna leave that alone 99 percent of the time,” LeMonnier said.
After the game, Golding said the officiating decision was not the deciding factor.
“Those situations are tough to call them,” Golding said. “There was definitely contact; it happens a lot.”
Regardless, the play is a reversal from the one called against Miami in its last Fiesta Bowl appearance. On fourth down in overtime, cornerback Glenn Sharpe was flagged for grabbing Ohio State receiver Chris Gamble on a throw. The penalty gave the Buckeyes a fresh set of downs and led to a touchdown that forced a second overtime. Ohio State won.
Miami wide receivers coach Kevin Beard was on the Hurricanes’ roster in that game and told The Athletic last month that the call is still a teaching point.
“In the process of my time here, those conversations always come up from the standpoint of ‘don’t leave it in (officials’) hands,’” Beard said. “If you leave it in their hands, don’t be surprised if it goes the other way.”
